Explainer SDF chief Kobane’s Damascus visit a high wire act for Syria’s Kurds The SDF says its integration with Damascus is complete, but major questions remain over its fighters, weapons and the future of Kurdish self-rule. Syria
Houthis claim strike on Saudi oil tanker off Yanbu: What to know The incident is the latest in a string of Houthi attacks targeting Saudi oil and military assets. Yemen
Ex-defense minister: Israel in ‘worst possible’ Gaza situation as Hamas gains strength Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant criticized the Israeli government for allowing Hamas to retain control over half of the Gaza Strip. Israel
Wreck of ship sunk by Israeli military in Irgun clash found after 78 years The wreck of the Irgun underground's Altalena ship, bombed by the Israeli military in 1948 and deliberately sunk in 1949, was located off Israel's coast at a depth of 1,650 feet. Israel
Analysis Israel fears Turkey’s Syria ambitions and doubts Trump will stop them By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
No plans to increase troops at Kabul airport as deadline looms, Pentagon says Evacuation flights peaked over the past 24 hours, but security fears are growing amid Taliban warning. Washington Pulse
Qatar praised by Senate leader for assisting US with Afghanistan evacuation Kuwait is also receiving people evacuated from Afghanistan by the US military amid the chaotic withdrawal from the country. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
Lebanon's president calls for UN action after Israeli strikes Lebanese President Michel Aoun said recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Hezbollah violated Lebanon's sovereignty. Lebanon
Will the Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan? Afghanistan's economy is hanging by a thread; Iran makes the best of the Taliban; the "resistance" finds inspiration; five must reads on Afghanistan. Iran
Israel reportedly bombs Syria for second time this week Syrian state media said Israeli missiles targeted areas near the capital, Damascus, and the western city of Homs. News Brief
Turkey offers to mediate disputes between Sudan, Ethiopia Erdogan also said he stands behind a peaceful resolution to the violence in Tigray. Turkey
Pentagon sidelines ally Turkey as US takes control of Kabul airport Taliban fighters helped secure the southern perimeter of Kabul airport as the US Army's 82nd Airborne rushed in to take control, marking a rare moment of coordination between the years-long enemies. United States
Uzbek fighters complicate makeover campaign by jihadi group in Idlib Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the dominant jihad group in Idlib, is seeking distance from the actions of Uzbek foreign fighters. Syria
Hamas welcomes Taliban’s triumph in Afghanistan Hamas published an official statement in which it congratulated its victory and praised its performance. Palestine
IRGC says Afghanistan exit a ‘lesson’ not to rely on US An official from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps says the US exit from Afghanistan is a lesson for regional leaders. Iran
Ankara mulls ambitious but risky engagement with Taliban The Turkish government is eyeing a more independent — and riskier — role in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s blitz takeover of Kabul sidelined the United States earlier than expected. Turkey
Electrical towers again become targets in Iraq Iraq's transmission towers are increasingly the target of bombings. Iraq
